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After a short seven-game schedule on Friday, Major League Baseball is back with a loaded 14-game slate beginning at 1:05 p.m. ET on Saturday afternoon. Before first pitch between the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium, we’ll take a look at the best games on the schedule, rookies to keep an eye out for, and fantasy spotlight.
Best Games To Watch
There aren’t many appealing pitching matchups on Saturday in the majors, but there are two games in particular that could be of interest to baseball fans. The first game that may be worth watching is the Atlanta Braves taking on the Phillies at 4:05 p.m. ET.
The three-time NL East champion, Braves will be trying to win their first game of the season after losing in extra innings to the Phillies on Opening Day. Atlanta will have Charlie Morton on the mound, while the Phillies will start Zach Wheeler. Wheeler was one of the lone bright spots last season after he signed a five-year deal in free agency. The veteran pitcher posted a record of 4-2, 2.92 ERA, and only had 53 strikeouts in 71 innings pitched.
The second game to watch out for is the Pittsburgh Pirates versus the Chicago Cubs at 2:20 p.m. ET. The Buccos defeated the Cubs 5-3 on Opening Day, thanks to a two-run home run hit by rookie third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes. The NL Rookie of the Year contender set the tone for Pittsburgh as they picked up additional runs in the fifth and seventh innings to close it out.
Fantasy Spotlight
When it comes to the fantasy spotlight for Saturday, all eyes will be on Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler. Buehler had an outstanding postseason for the World Series champs. He posted an ERA of 1.80, 4-1 record, and racked up an impressive 39 strikeouts in 25 innings pitched. According to FantasyPros, Buehler’s average draft position heading into this season was 21. He’ll be going up against a Colorado Rockies team, where has a record of 5-2 and 4.07 ERA.
Rookies to Watch
Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes and St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Dylan Carlson are leading off our Rookie watchlist for Saturday’s MLB slate. Both rookies hit a home run on Opening Day, setting a tone for their respective teams. Baltimore Orioles rookie Ryan Mountcastle will look to build off his 1-for-3, 2 RBI performance from Friday afternoon.
Note: Splits are updated as of 11:44 a.m. ET.
MLB Betting Splits, April 3
| Teams | Run Line | % Handle | % Bets | Total Runs | % Handle | % Bets | Moneyline | % Handle | % Bets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teams | Run Line | % Handle | % Bets | Total Runs | % Handle | % Bets | Moneyline | % Handle | % Bets |
| TOR Blue Jays | +1.5 | 4% | 15% | Over 9.0 | 79% | 67% | +140 | 11% | 15% |
| NY Yankees | -1.5 | 96% | 85% | Under 9.0 | 21% | 33% | -167 | 89% | 85% |
| BAL Orioles | +1.5 | 17% | 27% | Over 10.0 | 30% | 36% | +160 | 23% | 29% |
| BOS Red Sox | -1.5 | 83% | 73% | Under 10.0 | 70% | 64% | -190 | 77% | 71% |
| CLE Indians | -1.5 | 75% | 64% | Over 8.5 | 31% | 44% | -167 | 76% | 76% |
| DET Tigers | +1.5 | 25% | 36% | Under 8.5 | 69% | 56% | +145 | 24% | 24% |
| TEX Rangers | +1.5 | 13% | 36% | Over 9.5 | 72% | 47% | +135 | 33% | 32% |
| KC Royals | -1.5 | 87% | 64% | Under 9.5 | 28% | 53% | -165 | 67% | 68% |
| PIT Pirates | +1.5 | 4% | 8% | Over 11.0 | 63% | 21% | +140 | 26% | 19% |
| CHI Cubs | -1.5 | 96% | 92% | Under 11.0 | 37% | 79% | -165 | 74% | 81% |
| ATL Braves | -1.5 | 82% | 53% | Over 8.0 | 32% | 67% | -112 | 74% | 72% |
| PHI Phillies | +1.5 | 18% | 47% | Under 8.0 | 68% | 33% | -105 | 26% | 28% |
| HOU Astros | -1.5 | 83% | 73% | Over 9.0 | 49% | 60% | -143 | 58% | 57% |
| OAK Athletics | +1.5 | 17% | 27% | Under 9.0 | 51% | 40% | +125 | 42% | 43% |
| STL Cardinals | +1.5 | 81% | 79% | Over 9.0 | 84% | 64% | +104 | 86% | 80% |
| CIN Reds | -1.5 | 19% | 21% | Under 9.0 | 16% | 36% | -120 | 14% | 20% |
| TB Rays | -1.5 | 89% | 74% | Over 8.0 | 22% | 53% | -120 | 18% | 62% |
| MIA Marlins | +1.5 | 11% | 26% | Under 8.0 | 78% | 47% | +102 | 82% | 38% |
| MIN Twins | +1.5 | 13% | 51% | Over 7.5 | 55% | 86% | +118 | 78% | 74% |
| MIL Brewers | -1.5 | 87% | 49% | Under 7.5 | 45% | 14% | -139 | 22% | 26% |
| LA Dodgers | -1.5 | 95% | 93% | Over 11.5 | 82% | 65% | -240 | 78% | 91% |
| SD Padres | -1.5 | 94% | 84% | Under 8.5 | 10% | 15% | -230 | 54% | 76% |
| LA Dodgers | -1.5 | 95% | 93% | Over 11.5 | 82% | 65% | -240 | 78% | 91% |
| COL Rockies | +1.5 | 5% | 7% | Under 11.5 | 18% | 35% | +200 | 22% | 9% |
| CHI White Sox | -1.5 | 88% | 82% | Over 9.0 | 83% | 74% | -127 | 35% | 76% |
| LA Angels | +1.5 | 12% | 18% | Under 9.0 | 17% | 26% | +110 | 65% | 24% |
| SF Giants | -1.5 | 52% | 56% | Over 8.5 | 72% | 77% | -122 | 80% | 48% |
| SEA Mariners | +1.5 | 48% | 44% | Under 8.5 | 28% | 23% | +105 | 20% | 52% |
MLB regular season schedule for Saturday, April 3rd
If no streaming option is listed, game is available on MLB.tv pending blackout restrictions.
Blue Jays vs. Yankees, 1:05 p.m. ET
Orioles vs. Red Sox, 1:10 p.m. ET — ESPN+
Indians vs. Tigers, 1:10 p.m. ET
Rangers vs. Royals, 2:10 p.m. ET
Pirates vs. Cubs, 2:20 p.m. ET
Braves vs. Phillies, 4:05 p.m. ET
Astros vs. A’s, 4:08 p.m. ET
Cardinals vs. Reds, 4:10 p.m. ET
Rays vs. Marlins, 6:10 p.m. ET
Twins vs. Brewers, 7:10 p.m. ET
Dodgers vs. Rockies, 8:10 p.m. ET
Diamondbacks vs. Padres, 8:40 p.m. ET
White Sox vs. Angels, 9:07 p.m.
Giants vs. Mariners, 9:10 p.m. ET
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